Community

Engineering a Better World

The Case School of Engineering's experience-based learning environment not only features co-ops, internships and research but also plenty of opportunities for community service. Whether it's explaining polymers to middle school students or helping high schoolers enter robot competitions, engineering students at Case apply their education and skills, and volunteer their time to help make their city a better place.

Faculty and graduate students from the Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering team up with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Education Division to provide learning experiences beyond those available in traditional high school coursework. "Polymer Science Day" is an extension of the Museum's Future Scientist (FS) program, which addresses students of grades 9 to 12.

In another collaboration with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering research groups have pioneered another outreach program, which is part of Cleveland's annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Each year, up to 950 guests visit the polymer exhibit.

RePlay for Kids is an organization in which engineering students and staff who repair and adapt toys and assistive devices for children with disabilities. RePlay for Kids provides these services at no cost for non-profit organizations that provide medical, educational or recreational resources for children with disabilities in the Northeast Ohio area. To date, volunteers have restored and distributed hundreds of toys to local youth organizations.

This program brings the Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering polymer road-show into classrooms. more than100 fourth-graders participate each year in a program designed to stimulate interest in science and engineering careers. In small groups the students are introduced to the concept of polymers, exposed to various next-generation materials, learn about polymer recycling and see how polymer objects are shaped.